By Contributing Writers Peyton Cabiles (‘29) and Laina Chilcote (‘29)

While the 2025 – 2026 school year kicks off with a rocky start, the students in the building are finding themselves adjusting to their new grade levels. From freshmen learning to navigate high school to seniors finishing off their last year, there is a whirlwind of emotions in the air right now.

Senior Kendall Cabiles is in her last year of high school. Cabiles said that she had good classes for her last year. She’s been starting to look at some colleges, such as the University of Oregon and Syracuse University. She said that she is not too upset about leaving this school, although this is her last year playing tennis and golf while representing J-D. Cabiles enjoyed her last first day of high school by matching with all of her friends with senior jeans that they made.

Senior Natalie Christan is also not sad to be leaving high school, noting that she unfortunately did not get the schedule she preferred this year. She has started to look for colleges such as the University of Connecticut and the University of Providence. For her last first day, she joined Cabiles in wearing senior jeans, matching with her friends, and taking pictures. This will be Christian’s last year playing golf for J-D High School.

Senior Luciano Grenga enjoys his classes this year; he says he has an easy schedule and is happy with his late arrivals. Grenga has started looking for colleges and his top school is Utica, which he hopes to go for football. Grenga says that he has had a great last first day.  He notes that he is a little sad to be leaving high school, and will be missing his friends when they graduate.

On the flip side, Freshman Lauren Ewing is looking forward to football games and the homecoming dance this fall. She enjoys her classes because she has friends in them. Ewing said that her freshman year is going to go well. Freshman Lia Albanese joins her in the excitement and says that she loves being at the high school because she really likes being with her friends in her classes and she really likes her teachers. She is enjoying her time during the swim season so far.

Freshman Piper Bell is looking forward to Halloween this fall. She likes her schedule because she has a lot of good classes with her friends in it. Bell believes her freshman year is going to go amazingly well. Freshman Michael Campolita is looking forward to basketball season this school year. Campolita likes his schedule because he enjoys ceramics and creative woodworking.

The 2025 – 2026 school year kicks off with open arms for all of the students, with most of the people looking forward to a riveting year. Good luck everyone!